After dropping battered spouse defense, Glenn adopts it again

Elanna Glenn, who on Monday retracted her motion of intent to use battered spouse syndrome as a defense against charges of child abuse, re-entered the defense Friday morning in Circuit Judge Wendy Berger's court.

Her attorney, Clyde Taylor, said Glenn, 22, had changed her mind.

"When she appeared in court on Monday, she was ill," Taylor said. "She was also feeling the pressure from having been in jail for so long, and she really wasn't in a good place in terms of her frame of mind to make a good decision."

Taylor said that he met with his client in the days after her decision to drop the defense and they decided it had been a mistake.

"It's always been our intent to show that she has been consistently abused by her husband, and that her actions were affected by that," Taylor said. "I think that when people hear the facts of this case, they will be surprised at how little she was involved (in the child abuse)."

Her husband, Terry Paul Glenn, 51, was charged with the more serious charge of aggravated child abuse in the case, which the prosecution says occurred back in October when their toddler was found with burns from an iron, a bleeding foot wound and other injuries.

Taylor said Elanna Glenn's defense "will explain some of her conduct," which included statements she made to police at the time.

The battered spouse syndrome defense originated with murder case defendants - usually women - who had murdered or attempted to kill their abusive spouses, Taylor said.

"This may be a unique use of this defense," he said. "But from the start, we've believed that it is entirely applicable to her."

Taylor explained that the defense will show evidence that Terry Glenn was physically and mentally abusive to his wife, and that he dominated her.

In the case of a defense such as this, Taylor said, he must give at least 30 days notice to allow the prosecution to depose any defense witnesses - including experts - who will give testimony in support of the syndrome.

Elanna Glenn's trial is now set to begin on Sept. 17, with a docket call set for Sept. 6.

Terry Glenn's trial is also set for Sept. 17, with a docket call on Sept. 10.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The St. Augustine Record ~ One News Place, St. Augustine, FL 32086 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service